Combined laundry cabinet and ironing board



ch 75 3.95@ J. B. BRQGHU 294999455 COMBINED LAUNDRY CABINET AND RONING BOARD Filed July 6, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l me@ f4,

INVENTok. :J5/n 5 /'ocu BYM March 7 B950 J. B. @Roca-m COMBINED LAUNDRY CABINET AND IRONING BOARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1948 /yfroxmfmi' Patented Mar. 7, 1950 COMBINED LAUNDRY CABINET AND lIRONING BOARD John B. Brochu, Beverly, Mass. l Application July 6, 1948, Serial N.o..37.,225

(Cl. 35S-126) 7 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in comi' I' bined laundry cabinets and ironing boards, and it has for its primary object to generally improve upon the structure disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,029,585, dated June 18, 1912, with particular reference to the means for supporting the ironing board in its operative horizontal position.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates a novel foldable or collapsible supporting means for an ironing board, shelf, table or the like, which while adapted to rigidly support the same in operative position, will be readily foldable into a compact space when the board or shelf is swung to its inoperative position, the nature of said support parts and their arrangement being such that it is not necessary to disconnect any of the same when the board is to be moved to inoperative position.

Additionally, the invention has for an object to furnish a novel cabinet or other wall-provided housing for the ironing board when it is not in use, and likewise for .the collapsed ironing board support.

Other objects and .advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. l

say, however, the invention is susceptible of other mechanical expressions within the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to .designate the same parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of a combined ironing board and laundry cabinet embodying my invention, the ironing board. being shown in its out of use position;

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation illustrating the ironing board swung out horizontally in its position for use;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through vthe cabinet portion of the device and showing the .ironing board ,in its operative position, the board, per se, vbeing shown in side elevation;

Fig. 4 .is `a view similar to Fig. A3J .but showing 2 'laundry cabinet being shown in vertical section; Fig. l5 is a fragmentary View, partly in section and partly broken, vshowing portions of the' ironing board support elements after they yhave been moved from the Fig. 3 position to admit of the ironing board assuming the out of use position disclosed in Fig. 4;

Fig. r'6 is a detailed view showing the prop carred pin 35 of Figs. 3 and 5 seated in the notch of the cabinet carried guide for holding the parts in the Fig. 3 position; and

Fig. 7 is a detailed view illustrating the slidable interconnection between the ironing board supporting prop element 3|, 32 and the intermediate prop member 21 of Figs. 2 3 and 5.

-Referring to the drawings by reference characters, numeral 8 indicates generally the upstanding laundry cabinet which has the top v9, the bottom I0, and side walls H.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the back -wall I3 as having the co-extensive rearward bend I3al adjacent the top wall l!! to provide vthe oiset wall portion |319 which connects with the top 9 of 'the 13a, I'3b, so as to cooperate therewith in providing the rear recess i4 which when the prop elements of theironing board are in the inoperative posiltion of Fig. 4, serve to house the same, and also to substantially house the ironing board 13, as

' indicated in Fig. 1.

The rear wall recess I4 is co-eXtensive in width with 'the cabinet 8 and is open at its bottom as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4; and it will Yalso be noted `rfrom an inspection of said figures, that the cabinet 'is 'supported at 'each bottom corner by feet l2.

nently secured to the angles llc in any preferred mannen or they may 'be simply rested 'thereon convenient :storage place llor clean 'linen vwl'uan a 4 @linen cldse'tfri'sfnotavailable.

the ironing. board in its, inoperative position, 'the 55 ff, Coming 'now to the ironing board, it will `be overlying the rear part of the top 9, and terminating preferably substantially in line with the side edges of said top wall 9 so as to provide a symmetrical appearance. What, in Fig. 1, would be the front surface of the projecting portion of the board (and which rests upon the top 9 of thecabinet when the board is in use as in Fig. 1) may be finished to conform with the fin-ish ofthe cabinet and lends itself to use as a convenient means for supporting a mirror. Also,

the rear edge of the ironing board I8 may be .-ornamentally shouldered adjacent each edge, as indicated at I8b, to improve the appearance of the cabinet and ironing board assembly when the board is not in use.

The outer or work surface of the ironing board I8 at its rear end (see Figs. 1 and 3) is provided with the iron rest or support 20 which has its rear end pivoted as at 2| to the mid-portion of a bracket-provided arch 22 having the mounting seat 22a which is secured to the working surface of the board adjacent its rear end.

The iron rest 20 has projecting from its under surface adjacent its free end, the plate or other support 20a which is adapted to rest upon a metal .liner 23a in what is shown as a rectangular recess 23 formed in the board I8. The provision of 3the metal lined recess 23 serves to protect the vironing board I8 from the heat of an iron on the rest 20, particularly in the event that the user fshould forget to disconnect the current to the iron.

It will be apparent that the top of the cabinet provides a substantial support for the rear end of the ironing board I8 when it is in use as indi- ;cated in Figs. 2 and 3. The collapsible prop .means for supporting the outwardly projecting `.portion of the ironing board I8 will-now be de-l scribed.

The collapsible prop` or supporting means for the projecting portion of the ironing board I8 beyond the rear vwall of the cabinet 8 comprises a link 2E which is pivoted as at 24 (see Figs. 3 and -4), to the under surface of the projecting portion nf the ironing board I8. The inner end of the link 25 is nivoted as at 28 to the outer end of a much longer link 21 whose inner end is pivoted as at 28 to the rear wall I3 of the cabinet adjacent v the bottom II! thereof.

Fig. 7 illustrates the elongated link or prop elevment 21 as havingy its side edffes turned inwardlv as indicated at 21a, to provide the guideway 29 j for receiving the head 30 of a T extension which f projects from the lower edge of a cross-member 3i (see Figs. 2 and 3) which connects the side legs l:- 32 of a floor engageable pron. Fien 2 illustrates the prop providing links 25, 21 which have connection with the ironingr board I 8 and cabinet 8, as being disposed midway between the legs .32 of the iioor engaging prop referred to.

As illustrated in Fig -2 the legs 32 of the floor engaging prop are angle-formtoprovide flanges Lil) Projecting inwardly from the leg flanges 32a are flange portions which may have their edges reverted upon themselves as indicated in Fig. 2, for strengthening purposes, and also to receive the inturned ends of the cross-piece 3l which are indicated at 3Ia. The ends 35a of the cross-piece 3l may be welded or otherwise secured to the iioor engaging legs 32.

On the subject of the pivots 24, and 28, (see Fig. 2) they may take the form of staple-like members, as indicated, and in the case of the pivot 28 its ends would receive nuts indicated at 28a in Fig. 3 when, as is preferable, the cabinet is of metal.

Still referring to the floor engaging prop having the legs 32, it will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3, that the inner ends of said legs 32 are connected by a second cross-piece 34.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 5 and 6, it will be noted that the flange 32 of each leg of the iioor engaging prop has a laterally projecting pin 35 adjacent its inner end and carrying at the outer surface of said flange and spaced therefrom, the concentric disk or rotatable anti-friction element 33. Each anti-friction element or disk 3S is adapted 'to normally work in a vertical guideway 3l', provided by the respective inturned side flanges 33 of a guide member 39.

There are, of course, two guide members 39, one secured to the rear portion of one side wall II of the recess I4, and the other secured to the other side wall thereof. Screws or the like 4l) may be availed of for securing the guide members 39 to side walls II, and they project through the plate extensions 39a and 39h of said guide members 39.

Fig. 5 illustrates the rear guide-providing iiange 38 of the guide member 39 as being provided, adjacent its lower end, with an outwardly inclined notch 4I, which when the ironing board is in the operative position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is adapted to receive the adjacent disk carrying pin 35, so asto lock the prop incorporating supporting means of the ironing board in its operative position, as will be presently explained.

In addition to the sliding connection with the cabinet through the pin and guide connection 35, 31, at each side, the legs 32 of the floor engaging prop member 32, 3l, 34, have the link connection 42, with the lower plate extensions 39h of the respective guide members 39 (see Figs. 2 and 3). Each of the side links 42 is pivoted as at 42 to the flange 32a of the adjacent floor engaging propleg 32, while the inner end of said link 42 is pivoted as at 4I to the plate extension 38h of the related guide 3.9.

As will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 1, 3, and 4, one rear edge of the side wall I I of the cabinet has the retaining element 48 for maintaining the ironing board in its inoperative position substantially within the recess provided at the rear of the cabinet 8. The ironing board retaining means as indicated in Fig. l, takes the form of a strip or cleat 48 which is pivoted to the side wall edge as indicated at 4l, and has the operating finger piece 48.

The working surface of the ironing board I8 may be provided at its rear end with the transverse rod 45 whose inturned ends are secured to the board so that the major portion of the rod will be spaced away from the same, and provide a sup- .'port for suit hangers, or the like.

Thel operationof vthe ironing board supporting means will be summarized as follows:

.ff Y32a adiacent to and parallel withplane of the inner surfaces of the side walls II of the cabinet.

"atomes suming that it is desired to -put the board in the operative Fig. 3 position, fit is only necessary to swing the ironing board 'i8 clockwise about Iits pivot I9. When this isdone, the pivot 26 which connects .the links 2'5 and 2.1 of the boardsupporting top 4moves. downwardly .and outwardly from the Eig. .4 position. Likewise, the bearing disks. 35 at the inner ends of .the floor engaging prop legs '22 ,move downwardly in the guide '3l from the .dotted line position indicated 'in Fig. 6, until the Jpins 35 which carry the anti-friction disks 36 engage in the respective notches 4l of the rear flange 38 of the guide 39'.

It is to be understood that in the Fig. 3 position of the ironing board support, the pins 35 are engaged in their respective notches 4I. While the foregoing is happening, that is vtio say, While the prop elements are moving to the Fig. 3 position from the Fig. 4- position, the T-projection 30 (Fig. '7) of the lower cross member 3| is moving downwardly in the guide 29 provided by the anges 21a of the lower elongated board supporting link member 21. n

When the parts have assumed the Fig. 3 position, it will be obvious that pressure on :the extended portion of the ironing board I8 :will be transmitted through the prop links 25, 21 to the cross member 3| of the floor engaging prop 32, 32, 34. This floor engaging prop 32, 32, etc., is prevented from moving, firstly, by engagement of the side pins 35 in the notches 4I, and secondly, by the bracing action of the link 42.

To release the ironing board from its Fig. 3 position, it is necessary to move the prop element 32, 32, 3l, 34 counter-clockwise about 43 as a pivot to disengage the pins 35 from the notches 4l. When this has been done the reverse of the previously described operation takes place by simply swinging the ironing board counter-clockwise about its pivot I9, as viewed in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my claim is:

1. The combination with a support; of an ironing board hinged to the top thereof, and adjustable to extend vertically behind the support, links pivoted to the rear portion of the support, legs pivoted to said links adjacent the outer ends of the latter, opposed vertically extending guideways at opposite sides of said support, a laterally extending pivot pin carried by each of said legs adjacent the rear end of same and yslidably engaging in the adjacent guideway, a folding prop pivoted at one end to the under side of said ironinvention, what I ing board and at the other end to said support,

said prop comprising sections pivotallyconnected intermediate their ends, a cross member connecting said legs and engaging one of said prop sections to sustain the same when the ironing board is in operative position, and means for retaining said pins against movement in said-guide slots and said legs in fixed position when the ironing board is in operative position.

2. The combination with a supportaof an ironing board hinged to the top thereof, and adjustable to extend vertically behindgthe support, links pivoted to the rear portion ofythe support, legs pivoted to said links adjacent the outer ends of the latter, opposed vertically extending guideways at opposite sides of said support, a laterally extending pivot pin carried by each-of said legs adjacent the rear endl of same andi-.slidably engaging in the adjacent guideway,".,each of said guideways having a seating notcnfijor the assocated leg pin and receiving the same when the ironing board is inoperative position, a'iolding prop'pivoted at one end to the underside of `said.i ironing board and at the other end -to said sup-l port, ksaid prop comprising sections jpivotally connected intermediate 'their ends, a cross member connecting said legs and engaging one of said prop lsections to sustain the same ywhen 'the ironing board is in `operative position, and the Weight of said ironing board 'acting through said prop forcing said leg pins into said seating notches.

3.` The combination With a support; of an ironing board khinged lto the top thereof, and adjustable to extend vertically behind the support, links `pivoted to the rear 'portion of the support, legs pivoted to said links adjacent the outer ends of the latter,.\opposed vertically extending guideways at opposite sides of said support, a laterally extending pivot pin carried by each of said legs vadjacent the rear end of same and slidably engaging in the adjacent guideway, a folding prop pivoted at one end to the under side of said ironing board and at the other end to said support, a cross member connecting said legs and engaging said prop to sustain the same when the ironing board is in operative position, and means for retaining said pins against movement in said guideways and said legs in fixed position when the ironing board is in operative position.

4. The combination with a support; of an ironing board hinged to the top thereof and adjustable to extend vertically behind the support, links pivoted to the rear portion of the support, legs pivoted to said links adjacent the outer ends of the latter, opposed vertically extending guideways at opposite sides of said support, a laterally extending pivot pin carried by each of said legs adjacent the rear end of same and slidably engaging inthe adjacent guideway, a folding prop pivoted at one end to the under side of said ironing board and at the other end to said support, said prop comprising sections pivotally connected intermediate their ends, a cross member connecting said legs and engaging one of said prop sections to sustain the same when the ironing board is in operative position, said cross member having an interengaging slidable connection with said leg section, and means for retaining said pins against movement in said guide slots and said legs in xed position when the ironing board is in operative position.

5. The combination with a support; of an ironing board hinged to the top thereof, and adjustable to extend vertically behind the support, links pivoted to the rear portion of the support, legs pivoted to said links adjacent the outer ends of the latter, opposed vertically extending guideways at opposite sides of said support, a laterally extending pivot pin carried by each of said legs adjacent the rear end of same and slidably engaging in the adjacent guideway, each of said guideways having a seating notch for the associated leg pin and receiving the same when the ironing board is in operative position, a folding prop pivoted at one end to the under side of said ironing board and at the other end to said support, said prop comprising sections pivotally connected intermediate their ends, a cross member connecting said legs and engaging one of said prop sections to sustain the same when the ironing board is in operative position, said cross member having an interengaging slidable connection with said leg member, and the weight of said ironing board acting through said prop forcing said leg pins into said seating notches to retain the ironing board in operative position.

6. The combination with a support; of an ironing board hinged to the top thereof, and adjustable to extend vertically behind the support, opposed guide track-providing members secured to said support, links pivoted to said members below the guide-providing portions thereof, legs pivoted to said links adjacent the outer ends of the latter, a laterally extending pivot means carried by each of said legs adjacent the rear end of same and slidably engaging the proximate guide means, a folding prop pivoted at one end to the under side of said ironing board and at the other end to said support, said prop comprising sec- .tions pivotally connected intermediate their ends,

operative position.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6, and each of said guides having means for locking 10 said leg-provided pivot means against movement when the ironing board is in operative position.

JOHN B. BROCHU.

No references cited. 

